Industry news

A class-action lawsuit accusing Starbucks Corp. of underfilling lattes was thrown out by a judge in Oakland, Calif., on Friday. U.S. district judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found insufficient evidence that Starbucks systematically cheated customers by underfilling lattes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a deadly E. coli outbreak that Canadian health officials say is tied to romaine lettuce. As of Friday, 58 cases have been reported across the U.S. and Canada, and two people have died.

The high-profile chef and restaurateur Mario Batali on Monday stepped down from operations of B&B Hospitality Group following allegations that he sexually harassed four women, according to a report in Eater New York.

The women, including three who worked for Batali in the past, shared stories of being groped and touched inappropriately, the report said.

The National Labor Relations Board’s reversal Thursday of its 2015 joint-employer ruling sent relief through the franchisor-franchisee community. The reversal will likely impact restaurant industry cases in the courts, an expert said Friday.

Well, the Seattle-based coffee giant is at it again with the Christmas Tree Frappuccino, which is a red-and-green blend starting with a Peppermint Mocha Crème Frappuccino — a seasonal flavor already on the menu — that’s garnished with a “tree” of whipped cream colored with matcha, a caramel drizzle “garland,” candied cranberry “ornaments” and a strawberry on top. It was launched yesterday and is only available at participating locations in the United States and Canada until Monday, Dec. 11, unless they run out sooner.

Former presidential candidate and current U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders called for a cultural revolution this week and named “restaurants and offices all over this country” as part of the sexual harassment problem.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. seeks a CEO with turnaround expertise to succeed founder Steve Ells, who will step down to become executive chairman, but restaurant analysts expect uncertainty in the near term.

Pizza Hut has pushed past 9,000 international units with the opening of new restaurant earlier this month in Mumbai, India, the company said Monday.

The Plano, Texas-based pizza division of Yum! Brands Inc. said the Mumbai restaurant, which opened about two weeks ago, offers delivery as well as a dine-in option in a design with an open kitchen. Pizza Hut has 16,500 restaurants worldwide.